Spring-plank cushion



June 10, 1930. R. J. OBRIEN 1,762,886

SPRING PLANK CUSHION Filed July 25, 1929 fl- E Patented June 10, 1930 TED STATES PATENT OFFICE RICHARD J. OBRIEN, F DEPEW, NEW YORK, ASS IGNOR TO WAUGH EQUIPMENT COM- PANY, OF DEPE'W, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF MAINE SPRING-PLANE CUSHION Application filed July 25,

the running rails are transmitted from the J rails up thru the wheels, parts of the truck to the car underframe and body. This invention is designed to eliminate the transmission of such shocks and vibrations thru the spring plank.

The invention comprises the novel structure and combination of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred form of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the difierent views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary end elevational view of a railroad car showing parts in section and involving this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view so through the spring plank and hanger thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the cushioning means.

Figure 4 is a part sectional and part elevational view illustrating the cushioning element at the top of the spring plank hanger. In connection with this invention, there is shown in Figure 1 a part 1 of the truck structure which supports the usual hanger 2 which carries a spherical bearing block 3. at its lower end. A hearing plate 4 having a concave recessfor receiving the convex bearing portion of the block 3 is supported upon said block 3 for swiveling movement and one end of the spring plank 5 is supported upon the block 4. It will be noted that the other end of the spring plank 5 is supported by a similar hanger 2, and that the spring plank 5 has depending flanges 6 and 7 between which the bearing block 4 is located.

According to this invention, an expansible 1929. Serial No. 380,824.

cushion element 8 is interposed between the block4 and the spring plank 5, and is so designed with respect to the flanges 6 and 7 that they limit the expanding movement of the cushion in order that it may always present a good yield without losing its resiliency. While the pad 8 may assume any-convenient form, it preferably consists of a center plate 9 with an oblong rubber ring 10 or the like molded upon each side thereof with a central rubber piece within each oblong rin The dimension of the rubber piece 11 is sue as to allow the ring 10 to properly expand when pressure is applied upon the cushion. While the drawings show a cushion under only one end of the spring plank, it will be understood that a similar cushion is placed under the other end.

In Figure 4, a cushion retainer 12 is secured upon the frame member 1 and an expansible rubber cushion 13 is confined within the retainer. A plate 14 is superposed upon the cushion 13 for supporting the rod 2 of the hanger 2, so that the spring plank is resiliently supported.

It will be noted that the flan es 6 and 7 limit the expansible movement 0 the rubber ring 10 on each side of the plate 9, and in addition to preserving a good yield, the cushion is preserved against distortion and wear and tear.

I am aware that numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not propose limiting the patent granted, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art. 1

I claim as my invention:

r 1. In a railway car, a sprin plank, a hanger for supporting one end t ereof, and resilient cushion means com rising a central plate with nested and space blocks and rings of rubber secured to the opposite sides of the plate, the cushion means being located between said spring plank and hanger.

' 2. In a railway car, the combination with a spring plank, a hanger for supporting one end thereof, bearing members carried by said hanger, and expansible rubber elements interposed between said bearing and the spring plank, and means for confining said element for a predetermined expansion.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a spring plank, of sup- 5 porting means therefor, resilient cushioning means between said plank and supporting means, and means for limiting the expansible movement of said resilient means.

4:. In a car ofthe character described, a

hanger, bearing members supported by said hanger, a spring plank having flanges supported on said bearing member, and expansible rubber elements between said plank and bearing member and limited in expansion by 15 said flanges.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

RICHARD J. OBRIEN. 

